HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1327

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§15-    Languages of requests; ballots.  (a)  A request made pursuant to section 15-4 for an absentee ballot or for permanent absentee voter status may be written in the English or Hawaiian language.  The chief election officer shall make request forms in these languages available to the clerks for distribution to registered voters.

     (b)  The chief election officer shall ensure that absentee ballots in English and Hawaiian are available to absentee voters, to the extent necessary to fulfill all requests.

     (c)  This section shall not be construed to limit the applicability of any other election law relating to accommodation of individuals who speak or write languages other than English."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the printing of absentee ballot request forms and ballots in English and Hawaiian.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Elections; Absentee Ballots; Request Form; Hawaiian Language; Appropriation

 

Description:

Permits a request for an absentee ballot or for permanent absentee voter status to be submitted in English or Hawaiian.  Requires absentee ballots to be available to absentee voters in English and Hawaiian.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1327 HD1)

 

 

 

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